ascent

noun

as·​cent ə-ˈsent 

a-

1

a

: the act of rising or mounting upward : climb

completed their ascent of the mountain

b

: an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity

followed the steep ascent to the top of the hill

c

: the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient

2

: an advance in social status or reputation : progress

their ascent from the lower class to the middle class

3

: a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession

Synonyms of ascent

• climb
• ascension

Examples of ascent in a Sentence

They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill.

our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them

Recent Examples on the Web

First flight of the heavier CZ-10 with an uncrewed Lanyue lander performing a lunar descent and ascent test, exercising the lander’s propulsion and guidance. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Fear of the machine Confronting robots may also offer an outlet for modern anxieties about the rapid, seemingly ungovernable ascent of artificial intelligence, which some experts have warned could wipe out humanity within a decade. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026

On steep, technical ascents requiring absolute finesse, the harsh surge of electric torque can spin the rear tire. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

The ascent to the top was complete at the end of March Madness in 2023 and since then, Hurley has accomplished something much harder, and rarer. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ascent

• accent
• advent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

ascent

noun

as·​cent ə-ˈsent 

a-

1

: the act of rising or climbing up

began their ascent of the mountain

2

: an upward slope